The hilarity of this story is only subdued by it’s insanity.
What rights? Persons who are alien to the United States (or any other country in this world, for the matter), have only the right to petition for entry, on whatever basis that is acceptable by the host country to whom they are appealing.
Asylum is a favor which may or may not be granted by the nation which is approached, and relies on a varied set of criteria which may not always be the same in every instance. Other reasons for entering the country targeted may include a personal admiration for the ideals expressed in that culture, or for economic advantage, or because the invitation was extended to attract a certain kind of immigrant, based on skills, or attained educational level, or a good reputation attained elsewhere.
But nowhere is there a right, constitutional or otherwise, to DEMAND to enter a country based only on the criteria “I want to come in and I want to do it regardless of your feelings on the matter.”
Should Christians demand to be allowed to enter Muslim-majority countries and establish church congregations? Would that demand be honored? The question, framed in that manner, reflects the positions taken by just about every other society or culture in the world.
The fast answer is always “No”, or maybe even “Oh, HELL, NO!”
“The hilarity of this story is only subdued by it’s insanity.”
But that would be completely lost on the 9th Circuit.